Raising Ducks

Raising Ducks -
5 Start-Up Tips For Beginners When Rearing Ducks

It
is said that more than 22 million ducks are being raised in the US each year.
Particularly because raising ducks seems to have become an enjoyable hobby as
well, this number seems to be on the rise. Below are some tips for starters.

1. Determine what is your main purpose for raising ducks. This will help you to
select the duck breed best suited for your purposes. You will also get more
optimal results. For instance, the Call Duck breed is often bred for ornamental
purposes while the
Khaki Campbell Duck breed are bred mostly because they are
good egg-layers.

2. Start research on how to raise ducks. There are many resources that are
available to you. Countless articles, such as the one you are reading right now,
can provide many pieces of information on how you can start keeping ducks. You
can also talk to other experienced duck breeders as they can give you invaluable
tips which they have gained through their experiences.

3. For raising ducks, one important start-up equipment you must have is a
duckling brooder. This will help you raise baby ducklings, which is a great
first step in rearing ducks. You start with the duck eggs themselves and take
care of the brood when the eggs hatch. Although you can choose from adolescent
ducks or adult ducks, raising ducklings may be a more rewarding experience for
you. You will have more learning opportunities as well.

4. Make sure you also have your duck coop or duck hen in place. You wouldn't
want your ducks scattered all over the place or unprotected from the elements.
Raising ducks require a certain amount of investment and one of them is a safe
and secure place for your ducks. Wood shavings and straws are recommended
materials for your duck coop. You will also need to take sanitation into
consideration since a duck coop will have the tendency to be wet most of the
time. To prevent molds, you may need to change the litter everyday.

5. Make sure to provide adequate heating, especially if you are rearing
ducklings. After your ducklings hatch, they will require a certain amount of
heat for the next few weeks. A standard, 250-watt should meet their
requirements. This will tend to lessen as they grow feathers, unless you have
them in an environment where there is extreme cold climate.